No, it’s not a Darth Vader quote from Star Wars… but it is a subject that’s been on my mind lately. It gives me a sense of foreboding because in the age of Google and social media, you’ll find no shortage on health and fitness information, but what we are in real desperate need of is genuine support.
Today's Modern Support System
Technology is amazing, isn’t it? I don’t know about you, but I just love doing an internet search on a subject I find interesting, or scrolling through my social media feeds flipping through post after post of related materials. Tons of stuff that all fit (and fit wannabe) folks love reading about. Things like…
Foods you ought, and ought not eat if you want to stay alive and healthy well into old age.
The best activities for [insert "related age, sex, or health related demographic" here]
New and interesting exercises, programs, or medical discoveries
The trendiest diets and recipes
The “super-secret” strategies that the sexiest celebrities and competitive athletes are using to keep them; well, sexy and competitive.
It’s ALL right there for you and me. Every detail. Every angle. Nothing is held back from our ability to get answers and instruction on what needs to be done to maintain a trim, healthy body and resiliently long life. Am I Right?
Borderline stalker habits aside, we also can’t help but curiously click-bait our way toward pictures of what other folks are eating and doing.
Basically, we have an insatiable curiosity for finding the ultimate workout or diet program. You know, the one that will be the answer to all that is ill with our lives?
Well, when it comes to nutrition and exercise, it’s this very fixation we have with finding that elusive, miracle cure to effortless transformation that brings us ultimately to the point of information overload on the subjects.
Yet, regardless of our obsession, or the abundance of ever-changing information on diet and exercise that our digital world provides, our society still struggles with health and weight management.
That’s why I think, for some individuals, the issue isn't a lack of suitable information or instruction; it’s an absence of accountability. It's an absence of support.
Think about it. At the end of the day, if we really want to effectively change our bodies, there must first be a fundamental change in our lives. It should make sense that to do so, we need the help and support of our friends, family and in some cases; wellness professionals. After all, humans are innately social beings.
Society thrives as a whole. We flourish individually when we have a sense of community. Like-minded people with similar goals often motivate and inspire their peers to push through setbacks and achieve more, even at times when all seems hopeless. These individuals…
Encourage you to never give up, even when troubles arise
Share common ground with you (victories and defeats)
Give you an honest to goodness pat on the back for any progress you’ve made (large and small)!
Inspire you into becoming the best version of you at your very best
Never criticize or belittle your efforts
Provide accountability without judgment
Call your attention to habits that are self-defeating in nature
At the end of the day, having a ‘community’ means you have support, acknowledgment, inspiration, motivation, amicable rivalry, responsibility, and in general, FUN. What's more obvious is that, when you encircle yourself with a positive community of people, you not only get positive support; you get awesome firsthand information related to health and weight loss.
Many times over, these ‘firsthand’ accounts from peers provide little gems of enlightenment. These can range from personal tips for burning extra calories, to healthy recipes and self-care. Perhaps even, all those things we were so fascinated with 'clicking through' in the past. The difference is that now the information comes with the secret, elusive ingredient: personal support.
I know sometimes it can be a challenge to find people we can trust in order to create our own community of support. Not all of us are as fortunate as other in this regard. Now and then it may require you to look outside the circles of folks you currently find yourself surrounded by (which, in case you hadn't noticed, might be a good indication of how you got so far outta shape to to begin with). Fortunately, there are a ton of positive, caring individuals and support groups, and I am one of them.
In fact, I’ve started a free one on Facebook! It’s called Locomo Living Fit and you can CLICK HERE to join! I hope to see you there!
